In-Box Review

History

In the 1960's the Mikoyan design bureau developed the first Mach 3 Interceptor, in the MiG-25 (NATO codename Foxbat). The production of this aircraft began in 1971.
At the same time a high reconnaissance-bomber modification was designed, which was called the MiG-25RB.
The improved modification MiG-25RBT with updated avionics was produced in 1980-1982.
These reconnaissance planes served in the Soviet (later Russian) Air Force, and also were delivered to Iraq and Libya.

In the box

Now this is a completely new tool of the MiG-25 and not a re-box of thier earlier kit.
Packed in a sturdy hinge lidded box with an extra lid for the artwork, ICMs MiG-25RBT is well protected.
The five grey plastic sprues are bagged in one cellophane bag with the small clear sprue bagged separately. A colour instruction booklet and two decal sheets complete the boxing.
The moulding is good with no flash present and pin marks in places that shouldn't be seen or much trouble to fill. There is a few flow marks in the wings and tail sections, but nothing to really worry about.

Exterior detail is very good with some very fine panel lines and inspection hatches inscribed. You can hardly feel these on the plastic, so any heavy coats of paint will near enough make them disappear.

Internal detail is pretty good for the cockpit, with a nice looking bang seat, but it doesn't have any harness's supplied. The instrument panel features some very light raised bevels for the panel, but doesn't come with any decals.
Wheel wells are quite nice with raised details in the bays.
The undercarriage legs are fairly detailed, and the wheels, espaically the main wheels are very well detailed with spokes and a light tread pattern featured on them.

The back end of the aircraft has the two exhaust nozzles which are made up of several parts each, and have the afterburner rings at the back, of the tubes, detail for these parts is quite good, if a little light.
The air intakes are a multi piece affair each and looks a bit of a challenge to line up, as each intake is made up of four parts for the scoop, with rear half made up of three more parts, including a fan, which then fits on and over the forward section.

The only external stores for this version is the massive 5000L fuel tank which goes underneath the fuselage.

The clear parts are well moulded, are clear and thin without any imperfections in them and the canopy can be modelled open or closed.

The design of the kit makes it a modular construction, with the nose cone, and the cockpit all as separate parts. The main fuselage is made up of upper and lower halves. Wings are also upper and lower halves. The twin tail sections are made up of left and right halves and fit over the rear of the fuselage.
The way the kit is moulded and assembled is very clever, as more versions can easily be released by just adding and taking away a few parts.
You can only build the RBT version in this boxing as no other parts are in there for any other version, incase you were wondering.

Instructions, markings and decals

The instructions are the usual type we are all used too, with a parts tree at the beginning and the build set over 82 stages.
The build doesn't look to be complicated at all, with only a couple of parts fitted in each stage.
Any optional parts and any parts that need surgery are highlighted. Internal colours are also given along the way. Revell and Tamiya paints are used for the paint guide.
Two full colour painting and decal guides are placed at the back of the instruction booklet
A full page stencil guide is also supplied.

The two decal sheets are glossy with very little carrier film and is printed in house by ICM.
The first and larger decal sheet holds the national markings and aircraft numbers. The second sheet holds the numerous stencils found over the aircraft.
Four marking options are available, which are -A - MiG-25RBT, Soviet Air Force, Late 80s.B - MiG-25RBT, 47th GRAP, Rusiin Air Force, May 2001.C - MiG-25RBT,Iraqi Air Force, late 80s.D - MiG-25RBT,Libyan Air Force, 2000s.
All the aircraft are in a light grey finish.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.

SUMMARY

Highs: Fairly well detailed, easyish build, four decal options.Lows: Detail is a little light in places.Verdict: The newest tool MiG-25 to be released in 1/72nd and will be quite a size even in braille scale. Not a kit for the beginner, as its not a shake and bake kit, due to its parts division.
Should build up to be a great model.

About Andy Brazier (betheyn)FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM

I started modelling in the 70's with my Dad building Airfix aircraft kits. The memory of my Dad and I building and painting a Avro Lancaster on the kitchen table will always be with me. I then found a friend who enjoyed building models, and between us I think we built the entire range of 1/72 Airfi...

Comments

It does look nice, might have to get it onto the bench soon.
I have gone down a scale too 1/72nd on the most part now, as I don't have anywhere to display most 1/48th and bigger kits now, even though I fell in love with HPH's B-36 in 1/48th at the Telford IPMS show, and that thing is huge.
Andy